Ethical Guidelines (AO1)

Question 1

Briefing/Debriefing

Answer 1

• ppts should be told the full extent of the study before taking part, including the aims of the research and what they will be doing in the experiment
• this should take place before the research begins and at the end of the study as well

Question 2

How to Uphold Briefing/Debriefing

Answer 2

• researchers should gain fully informed consent from each ppt before beginning the study
• ppts should be fully debriefed at the end of the study
• researchers often give email/contact details for any further q’s ppts may have

Question 3

Informed Consent

Answer 3

• when someone consents to participate in research, they should be fully informed of the aims before they agree to taking part
• if this is not upheld, ppts may take part in research that goes against their wishes/beliefs, or they may have felt coerced/obliged to take part against their will
• tricky bc fully informed consent can lead to demand characteristics

Question 4

How to Uphold Informed Consent

Answer 4

• presumptive consent = take a random sample + detail full study, if they agree you can presume that other future ppts will too
• prior general consent = if ppts agree to take part in numerous studies that may involve deception, you have their consent
• retrospective consent = ppts give their consent AFTER the study has taken place
• parental/guardian consent - can get consent from guardian for under 18’s

Question 5

Protection from Harm

Answer 5

• psychologists have the responsibility to protect ppts from physical or psychological harm, incl. stress
• the risk of harm must be no greater than that which they are exposed to in every day life
• ppts should leave research in the same state as they entered it

Question 6

How to Uphold Protection From Harm

Answer 6

• researchers should remind ppts of their right to withdraw throughout the study
• experiment should be stopped completely if the level of harm is higher than expected
• ppts should be debriefed fully at the end
• can be referred to counselling/ psychologists in extreme cases

Question 7

Deception

Answer 7

• when information is deliberately withheld from ppts or they are knowingly misled
• this prevents ppts from giving fully informed consent = they might be taking part in research that goes against their views or beliefs

Question 8

How to Uphold Deception

Answer 8

• ppts should be fully debriefed at the end of the study & told the true, full extent of the research
• after this has taken place, the ppt should be given the right to withdraw their data
• the contact details of the researchers should be given to ppts for any further q’s

Question 9

Right to Withdraw

Answer 9

• ppts must be able to remove themselves and/or their data from the study at ANY stage
• this includes after the research has been conducted
• the researcher must then destroy any data or info that has been collected from that ppt
• if this isn’t upheld, ppts may feel stressed & therefore not protected from harm

Question 10

How to Uphold Right to Withdraw

Answer 10

• full debrief
• final reminder of right to withdraw
• contact details of researchers for future q’s

Question 11

Confidentiality & Anonymity

Answer 11

• ppts personal info is protected by law under the Data Protection Act during & after an experiment
• if it’s not correctly protected the data can be used by other 3rd parties against the ppt’s wishes
• it should not be possible for any person to identify a ppt from their data

Question 12

How to Uphold Confidentiality & Anonymity

Answer 12

• ppts often referenced using initials or an ID number instead of using their actual names for anonymity purposes